The International Cessna^® 170 Association

First annual on the 170A. Found that the flap pawl springs are missing on both the right and left side of plane. It appears that this is needed to prevent flaps from moving (gust lock) while in the upright position. My question is this, Have they been removed for a reason or should I replace them both. I use manual gust locks every time I fly between the flaps and ailerons. 170A IPC Page 19, Fig. 11-10 Part # 0523227. If needed, parts location ? Thanks

HMA 170,
Yes you need to install the springs! If their in the IPC they need to be on the A/C No mater what! To make the A/C legal.
brad

i bought these at Iwantcessnaparts.com...I think they were like $35 a piece from there...which is a little rediculous, but i've come to expect that now.

Found them on-line for 26.50 each (ouch). I will install them when they arrive. Thanks for the replies. I have learned a lot of great information through this Association. Another proud 170 owner.

Air Repair cost each as of 2/4/20 is $73.72! Has anyone found a different source?

BTW the pawl only assists the flap to stay locked in the up position. Any tail wind while the plane is stationary on the ground will overcome the pawl and your flap will slam full on and back to neutral. In a pinch place the flaps full on to hold them or install a gust lock.

Thanks Bruce,
Does that make the purpose of the pawl to more for backup if a flap retract spring breaks? I had envisioned the pawl and spring combo to be for keeping the flaps from "flapping" with a tailwind. I learned something today!

What does this part Look LIke?

How can I tell if mine are missing?

If it’s the springs that go from the flap to the interior of wing and hold the flaps in the trail position and on the flap stops well mine came from “aero Home Depot “ at the staggering price of 73 cents . I bought 2 of them . That was over 6 years ago and still going strong after many inspections including “SIDS” and flying hours .

They are small springs that are attached to the linkage against the fuselage. Only found on the earlier models with hinged flaps.

MoonlightVFR wrote:What does this part Look LIke?

How can I tell if mine are missing?

Grady, yours ARE missing. I can tell from here.

They didn't use this part on the '54 you own. Only the A model.

prairiechicken wrote:Thanks Bruce,
Does that make the purpose of the pawl to more for backup if a flap retract spring breaks? I had envisioned the pawl and spring combo to be for keeping the flaps from "flapping" with a tailwind. I learned something today!

No. With out the spring the flap will not retract to neutral while not in flight. . The spring alone can not hold the flap when a gust from the back hits it. The paw is suppose to hold the flap locked in but on even the best examples it can not overcome a good tail wind gust.

Should your spring break while in flight, your flaps will retract due to air pressure pushing them up as you release the flap handle and there is no longer a cable holding them down.

No. With out the spring the flap will not retract to neutral while not in flight. . The spring alone can not hold the flap when a gust from the back hits it. The paw is suppose to hold the flap locked in but on even the best examples it can not overcome a good tail wind.

Yes, I have experienced a tail wind slapping my flaps around while taxiing on a gusty day. I had imagined that the pawl system would help that a little, doesn't sound like it does.

Can anyone post a link do them I need two

Bruce,
I am having trouble following your last entry. I thought it was about the pawl springs in the flap mechanism and not in the tail wheel. I am just confused.